5 WWE names who should win the World Heavyweight Championship: Selfless superstar, ruthless heel & more
Winning a major title in WWE is usually the ultimate goal for any superstar. When hearing stories from their childhoods or early careers, wrestlers usually dream about winning the WWE title or having a huge WrestleMania moment.
A RAW exclusive title, the World Heavyweight Championship, was reintroduced last April due to former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns' reduced schedule. Since then, the belt has held three holders. Seth Rollins was the inaugural champion. He lost the title to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40. McIntyre then lost it five minutes later due to a cash-in from Damian Priest.
Every star will not win the World Heavyweight title in their career. The following five WWE stars, however, should win it.
#5. Kevin Owens has been with WWE for nearly a decade
Kevin Owens hasn't held a major singles title since losing the Universal Championship to Goldberg in 2017. That's nearly seven years since Owens was treated as the top star of the company.
Due to his willingness to face whoever and put them over, Owens deserves one more big title run before he retires. This isn't to say he's retiring in two years, but he is a willing daredevil who competes in many dangerous spots.
The Prizefighter could easily win the 2024 Men's Money in the Bank match and cash in on Damian Priest. He lost the Undisputed Tag Team titles to the Judgment Day at Payback 2023, so it would be a moment of karma hitting The Archer of Infamy.
#4. Drew McIntyre is on fire on the mic
Drew McIntyre already won the title but didn't have a meaningful run. It was used more as a prop for his ongoing feud with CM Punk.
The Scottish Warrior's first big run as Champion also took place in the COVID Era, so McIntyre should win the World Heavyweight belt within the next two years.
He recently re-signed with WWE and has become the most entertaining heel in the company. Once he is medically cleared to compete and finishes his business with Punk, winning the World Heavyweight title should be considered by officials.
#3. Sami Zayn has been a selfless WWE employee for years
Dolph Ziggler and The Miz routinely put over other stars in years past. Most were on their way up the ladder in WWE, and Ziggler and Miz were among the most trusted in-ring veterans.
Sami Zayn has assumed that role throughout most of his career. He put Johnny Knoxville, a celebrity, over as well as Shane McMahon. The current Intercontinental Champion has done whatever has been asked of him.
Therefore, paying him back with a World Heavyweight title run at some point should be part of the plans. Zayn is still over with the crowd and would be a believable Champ.
#2. LA Knight has an uphill battle on SmackDown
Unless he turns heel to battle Cody Rhodes, LA Knight's best chance at major singles glory would be winning the World Heavyweight title. The American Nightmare just won the Undisputed WWE Championship and isn't losing it until after WrestleMania 41 at the earliest.
Like Jey Uso, Knight's popularity is too loud to ignore. He needs a signature win or title run to let the fans know that bookers are listening to them. An easy way would be to win Money in the Bank or be traded to RAW.
Knight was pushed off the ladder last year by Priest, so it would be a case of 'what goes around, comes around' if he defeated The Archer of Infamy.
#1. Gunther already had one dominating title run
Gunther is in the record books as the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. He has rarely been pinned, but when he was, it was for a purpose. Sami Zayn was the last man to pin The Ring General but Jey Uso could also be joining that exclusive club.
When he lost his belt, it seemed as if it was to prime The Ring General for a run atop WWE. Along with McIntyre, Gunther is the top heel on RAW. He's been heavily protected and booked even better under Triple H.
Stars who become Champion after cashing in Money in the Bank don't often have year-long reigns. That could mean that any number of stars, including Gunther, could beat Damian Priest for the World Heavyweight title this year.